15 Totally Free Holiday Gift Ideas

With all the gifting that comes with the holiday season, your bank account could always appreciate some out-of-the-box creativity that doesn't involve more shopping. Ahead, 15 thoughtful ways to show someone you care that won't require spending any cash at all.

More

view gallery

01of15

01Of15

01Of15

Prepare a Veggie Basket

Prepare a Veggie Basket

If your well-stocked garden is your pride and joy, wrap up the literal fruits of your labor with a hand-selected basket of fresh goodies—from veggies to fruits or jams—for your foodie recipients to cook with on their own time (peas, potatoes, swiss chard, carrots, and asparagus are top picks for winter vegetable gardens, FWIW) .

Getty
/ Design by Betsy Farrell

01Of15

Offer Flower Bulbs

Offer Flower Bulbs

Winter's a better season than ever to gift someone a budding bulb and it's an easy present for beginners to green-thumb gurus to use.You can either pluck them from your garden or source them for cheap from your local nursery, and the bulbs can grow anywhere in a garden where the ground is cool and the soil drains well.

Prepare a Veggie Basket

If your well-stocked garden is your pride and joy, wrap up the literal fruits of your labor with a hand-selected basket of fresh goodies—from veggies to fruits or jams—for your foodie recipients to cook with on their own time (peas, potatoes, swiss chard, carrots, and asparagus are top picks for winter vegetable gardens, FWIW) .

GettyDesign by Betsy Farrell

2Of15

Offer Flower Bulbs

Winter's a better season than ever to gift someone a budding bulb and it's an easy present for beginners to green-thumb gurus to use.You can either pluck them from your garden or source them for cheap from your local nursery, and the bulbs can grow anywhere in a garden where the ground is cool and the soil drains well.

GettyDesign by Betsy Farrell

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

3Of15

Craft a Winter Accessory

Your mom was always the OG on this one, but we have to give it to her: nothing beats a hand-knitted or crocheted winter accessory (well, so long as it's tasteful). Gauge what your giftee's favorite colors are and then put in the time on a pair of soft woolen socks or a scarf. The only real expense here is the wool, but you can always shop budget options that will save you money on the real thing.

GettyDesign by Betsy Farrell

4Of15

Put Together Your Own Cookbook

Does your friend or family member like to cook? Bake? Mix drinks? If so, compile recipes you love, along with any treasured family recipes. Choose themes relating to his or her life and introduce each section of the cookbook with a little personalized note. If they went to school down South, include a Southern comfort food section. Do they love Roald Dahl? There's a whole trove of Roald Dahl-themed recipes waiting for you to find them.

GettyDesign by Katja Cho

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

5Of15

Make a Mixtape

Okay, so it doesn't have to be an actual mixtape (who even has a cassette player anymore?), but creating a custom playlist is a sweet gesture, especially when you choose songs that are meaningful and relevant to your relationship. Burn the playlist to a CD—yes, an actual CD—and decorate the case rather than just file-sharing the music. It's nice to have something physical to unwrap.

GettyDesign by Katja Cho

6Of15

Food, Obviously

Yes, buying groceries costs money, but you probably have most of the ingredients you need already. Plus, cooking costs nowhere near as much money as dinner at a stuffy, expensive restaurant. Cook a romantic dinner or go full-on Martha Stewart and give baked goodies to all your friends. It's a gift everyone will appreciate.

GettyDesign by Katja Cho

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7Of15

Get Creative

Exercise your right brain and create some thoughtful art or flex your crafting muscles. Your friend probably doesn't want a cheesy art project with her initials on it, but she might appreciate a pillow cross-stitched with a quippy quote from her favorite movie, hand-painted mason jars to round out her hipster kitchen set, or a pair of hand-made earrings. Hint: Browse Etsy for inspiration!

GettyDesign by Katja Cho

8Of15

Create a Photo Album

Give Instagram a run for its money with a good old-fashioned photo album. If you hold onto things like ticket stubs and mementos from times together, include them scrapbook-style.

GettyDesign by Katja Cho

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9Of15

Design a Scavenger Hunt

Have your S.O. relive your favorite moments together—and test their memory—by placing clues at your shared favorite spots across your city/hometown/wherever. Think: places where he or she made you laugh so hard you almost peed your pants, spot where you had your first kiss, your go-to coffee shop. Need inspiration? Think: What Would Leslie Knope Do?

GettyDesign by Katja Cho

10Of15

Make a Movie

Make your friend a movie they'll watch for years to come. Record all your mutual friends talking about why they love that friend. Ask their parents for adorable, vintage footage from their childhood years to include. Finish it off with your own personal message.